Non-transgenic herbicide resistant plants

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the production of a non-transgenic plant resistant or tolerant to a herbicide of the phosphonomethylglycine family, e.g., glyphosate. The present invention also relates to the use of a recombinagenic oligonucleobase to make a desired mutation in the chromosomal or episomal sequences of a plant in the gene encoding for 5-enol pyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS). The mutated protein, which substantially maintains the catalytic activity of the wild-type protein, allows for increased resistance or tolerance of the plant to a herbicide of the phosphonomethylglycine family, and allows for the substantially normal growth or development of the plant, its organs, tissues or cells as compared to the wild-type plant irrespective of the presence or absence of the herbicide. The present invention also relates to a non-transgenic plant cell in which the EPSPS gene has been mutated, a non-transgenic plant regenerated therefrom, as well as a plant resulting from a cross using a regenerated non-transgenic plant having a mutated EPSPS gene.

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/158,027, filed on Oct. 7, 1999 and to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/173,564, filed Dec. 30, 1999, the disclosures of eachof which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the production of a non-transgenicplant resistant or tolerant to a herbicide of the phosphonomethylglycinefamily, e.g., glyphosate. The present invention also relates to the useof a recombinagenic oligonucleobase to make a desired mutation in thechromosomal or episomal sequences of a plant in the gene encoding for5-enol pyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS). The mutatedprotein, which substantially maintains the catalytic activity of thewild-type protein, allows for increased resistance or tolerance of theplant to a herbicide of the phosphonomethylglycine family, and allowsfor the substantially normal growth or development of the plant, itsorgans, tissues or cells as compared to the wild-type plant irrespectiveof the presence or absence of the herbicide. The present invention alsorelates to a non-transgenic plant cell in which the EPSPS gene has beenmutated, a non-transgenic plant regenerated therefrom, as well as aplant resulting from a cross using a regenerated non-transgenic planthaving a mutated EPSPS gene.

2. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

2.1 Phosphonomethylglycine Herbicides

Herbicide-tolerant plants may reduce the need for tillage to controlweeds thereby effectively reducing soil erosion. One herbicide which isthe subject of much investigation in this regard isN-phosphonomethylglycine, commonly referred to as glyphosate. Glyphosateinhibits the shikimic acid pathway which leads to the biosynthesis ofaromatic compounds including amino acids, hormones and vitamins.Specifically, glyphosate curbs the conversion of phosphoenolpyruvic acid(PEP) and 3-phosphoshikimic acid to 5-enolpyruvyl-3-phosphoshikimic acidby inhibiting the enzyme 5-enolpyrvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase(hereinafter referred to as EPSP synthase or EPSPS). For purposes of thepresent invention, the term “glyphosate” includes any herbicidallyeffective form of N-phosphonomethylglycine (including any salt thereof),other forms which result in the production of the glyphosate anion inplants and any other herbicides of the phosphonomethlyglycine family.

Tolerance of plants to glyphosate can be increased by introducing amutant EPSPS gene having an alteration in the EPSPS amino acid codingsequence into the genome of the plant. Examples of some of the mutationsin the EPSPS gene for inducing glyphosate tolerance are described in thefollowing patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,667; U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,775;U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,910; U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,783. These proposedmutations typically have a higher K_(i) for glyphosate than thewild-type EPSPS enzyme which confers the glyphosate-tolerant phenotype,but these variants are also characterized by a high K_(m) for PEP whichmakes the enzyme kinetically less efficient (Kishore et al., 1988, Ann.Rev. Biochem. 57: 627-663; Schulz et al., 1984, Arch. Microbiol. 137:121-123; Sost et al., 1984, FEBS Lett. 173: 238-241; Kishore et al.,1986, Fed. Proc. 45: 1506; Sost and Amrhein, 1990, Arch. Biochem.Biophys. 282: 433-436). Many mutations of the EPSPS gene are chosen soas to produce an EPSPS enzyme that is resistant to herbicides, butunfortunately, the EPSPS enzyme produced by the mutated EPSPS gene has asignificantly lower enzymatic activity than the wild-type EPSPS. Forexample, the apparent K_(m) for PEP and the apparent K_(i) forglyphosate for the wild-type EPSPS from E. coli are 10 μM and 0.5 μM,while for a glyphosate-tolerant isolate having a single amino acidsubstitution of alanine for glycine at position 96, these values are 220μM and 4.0 mM, respectively. A number of glyphosate-tolerant EPSPS geneshave been constructed by mutagenesis. Again, the glyphosate-tolerantEPSPS had lower catalytic efficiency (V_(max)/K_(m)), as shown by anincrease in the K_(m) for PEP, and a slight reduction of the V_(max) ofthe wild-type plant enzyme (Kishore et al., 1988, Ann. Rev. Biochem. 57:627-663).

Since the kinetic constants of the variant enzymes are impaired withrespect to PEP, it has been proposed that high levels of overproductionof the variant enzyme, 40-80 fold, would be required to maintain normalcatalytic activity in plants in the presence of glyphosate (Kishore etal., 1988, Ann. Rev. Biochem. 57: 627-663). It has been shown thatglyphosate-tolerant plants can be produced by inserting into the genomeof the plant the capacity to produce a higher level of EPSP synthase inthe chloroplast of the cell (Shah et al., 1986, Science 233, 478-481),which enzyme is preferably glyphosate-tolerant (Kishore et al., 1988,Ann. Rev. Biochem. 57: 627-663).

The introduction of the exogenous mutant EPSPS genes into plant is welldocumented. For example, according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,060, toincrease a plant's resistance to glyphosate, a gene coding for an EPSPSvariant having at least one mutation that renders the enzyme moreresistant to its competitive inhibitor, i.e., glyphosate, is introducedinto the plant genome. However, many complications and problems areassociated with these examples. Many such mutations result in lowexpression of the mutated EPSPS gene product or result in an EPSPS geneproduct with significantly lower enzymatic activity as compared to wildtype. The low expression or low enzymatic activity of the mutated enzymeresults in abnormally low levels of growth and development of the plant.

While such variants in the EPSP synthases have proved useful inobtaining transgenic plants tolerant to glyphosate, it would beincreasingly beneficial to obtain a variant EPSPS gene product that ishighly glyphosate-tolerant but still kinetically efficient, such thatimproved tolerance can be obtained with a wild-type expression level.

2.2 Recombinagenic Oligonucleobases

Recombinagenic oligonucleobases and their use to effect genetic changesin eukaryotic cells are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,350 to Kmiec(Kmiec I). Kmiec I teaches a method for introducing specific geneticalterations into a target gene. Kmiec I discloses, inter alia,recombinagenic oligonucleobases having two strands, in which a firststrand contains two segments of at least 8 RNA-like nucleotides that areseparated by a third segment of from 4 to about 50 DNA-like nucleotides,termed an “interposed DNA segment.” The nucleotides of the first strandare base paired to DNA-like nucleotides of a second strand. The firstand second strands are additionally linked by a segment of singlestranded nucleotides so that the first and second strands are parts of asingle oligonucleotide chain. Kmiec I further teaches a method forintroducing specific genetic alterations into a target gene. Accordingto Kmiec I, the sequences of the RNA segments are selected to behomologous, i.e., identical, to the sequence of a first and a secondfragment of the target gene. The sequence of the interposed DNA segmentis homologous with the sequence of the target gene between the first andsecond fragment except for a region of difference, termed the“heterologous region.” The heterologous region can effect an insertionor deletion, or can contain one or more bases that are mismatched withthe sequence of target gene so as to effect a substitution. According toKmiec I, the sequence of the target gene is altered as directed by theheterologous region, such that the target gene becomes homologous withthe sequence of the recombinagenic oligonucleobase. Kmiec I specificallyteaches that ribose and 2′-O-methylribose, i.e., 2′-methoxyribose,containing nucleotides can be used in recombinagenic oligonucleobasesand that naturally-occurring deoxyribose-containing nucleotides can beused as DNA-like nucleotides.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,181 to Kmiec (Kmiec II) specifically disclose theuse of recombinagenic oligonucleobases to effect genetic changes inplant cells and discloses further examples of analogs and derivatives ofRNA-like and DNA-like nucleotides that can be used to effect geneticchanges in specific target genes. Other patents discussing the use ofrecombinagenic oligonucleobases include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,756,325;5,871,984; 5,760,012; 5,888,983; 5,795,972; 5,780,296; 5,945,339;6,004,804; and 6,010,907 and in International Patent No. PCT/US00/23457;and in International Patent Publication Nos. WO 98/49350; WO 99/07865;WO 99/58723; WO 99/58702; and WO 99/40789. Recombinagenicoligonucleobases include mixed duplex oligonucleotides, non-nucleotidecontaining molecules taught in Kmiec II and other molecules taught inthe above-noted patents and patent publications.

Citation or identification of any reference in Section 2, or any sectionof this application shall not be construed as an admission that suchreference is available as prior art to the present invention.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a non-transgenic plant or plantcell having one or more mutations in the EPSPS gene, which plant hasincreased resistance or tolerance to a member of thephosphonomethylglycine family and which plant exhibits substantiallynormal growth or development of the plant, its organs, tissues or cells,as compared to the corresponding wild-type plant or cell. The presentinvention is also directed to a non-transgenic plant having a mutationin the EPSPS gene, which plant is resistant to or has an increasedtolerance to a member of the phosphonomethylglycine family, e.g.,glyphosate, wherein the mutated EPSPS protein has substantially the samecatalytic activity as compared to the wild-type EPSPS protein.

The present invention is also directed to a method for producing anon-transgenic plant having a mutated EPSPS gene that substantiallymaintains the catalytic activity of the wild-type protein irrespectiveof the presence or absence of a herbicide of the phosphonomethylglycinefamily. The method comprises introducing into a plant cell arecombinagenic oligonucleobase with a targeted mutation in the EPSPSgene and identifying a cell, seed, or plant having a mutated EPSPS gene.

Illustrative examples of a recombinagenic oligonucleobase is found infollowing patent publications, which are incorporated in their entiretybe reference herein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,565,350; 5,756,325; 5,871,984;5,760,012; 5,731,181; 5,888,983; 5,795,972; 5,780,296; 5,945,339;6,004,804; and 6,010,907 and in International Patent No. PCT/US00/23457;and in International Patent Publication Nos. WO 98/49350; WO 99/07865;WO 99/58723; WO 99/58702; and WO 99/40789.

The plant can be of any species of dicotyledonous, monocotyledonous orgymnospermous plant, including any woody plant species that grows as atree or shrub, any herbaceous species, or any species that producesedible fruits, seeds or vegetables, or any species that producescolorful or aromatic flowers. For example, the plant may be selectedfrom a species of plant from the group consisting of canola, sunflower,tobacco, sugar beet, cotton, maize, wheat, barley, rice, sorghum,tomato, mango, peach, apple, pear, strawberry, banana, melon, potato,carrot, lettuce, onion, soya spp, sugar cane, pea, field beans, poplar,grape, citrus, alfalfa, rye, oats, turf and forage grasses, flax,oilseed rape, cucumber, morning glory, balsam, pepper, eggplant,marigold, lotus, cabbage, daisy, carnation, tulip, iris, lily, and nutproducing plants insofar as they are not already specifically mentioned.

The recombinagenic oligonucleobase can be introduced into a plant cellusing any method commonly used in the art, including but not limited to,microcarriers (biolistic delivery), microfibers, electroporation,microinjection.

The invention is also directed to the culture of cells mutated accordingto the methods of the present invention in order to obtain a plant thatproduces seeds, henceforth a “fertile plant”, and the production ofseeds and additional plants from such a fertile plant.

The invention is further directed to a method of selectively controllingweeds in a field, the field comprising plants with the disclosed EPSPSgene alterations and weeds, the method comprising application to thefield of a herbicide to which the said plants have been renderedresistant.

The invention is also directed to novel mutations in the EPSPS gene thatconfer resistance or tolerance to a member of the phosphonomethylglycinefamily, e.g., glyphosate, to a plant or wherein the mutated EPSPS hassubstantially the same enzymatic activity as compared to wild-typeEPSPS.

3.1 Definitions

The invention is to be understood in accordance with the followingdefinitions.

An oligonucleobase is a polymer of nucleobases, which polymer canhybridize by Watson-Crick base pairing to a DNA having the complementarysequence.

Nucleobases comprise a base, which is a purine, pyrimidine, or aderivative or analog thereof. Nucleobases include peptide nucleobases,the subunits of peptide nucleic acids, and morpholine nucleobases aswell as nucleosides and nucleotides. Nucleosides are nucleobases thatcontain a pentosefuranosyl moiety, e.g., an optionally substitutedriboside or 2′-deoxyriboside. Nucleosides can be linked by one ofseveral linkage moieties, which may or may not contain a phosphorus.Nucleosides that are linked by unsubstituted phosphodiester linkages aretermed nucleotides.

An oligonucleobase chain has a single 5′ and 3′ terminus, which are theultimate nucleobases of the polymer. A particular oligonucleobase chaincan contain nucleobases of all types. An oligonucleobase compound is acompound comprising one or more oligonucleobase chains that arecomplementary and hybridized by Watson-Crick base pairing. Nucleobasesare either deoxyribo-type or ribo-type. Ribo-type nucleobases arepentosefuranosyl containing nucleobases wherein the 2′ carbon is amethylene substituted with a hydroxyl, alkyloxy or halogen.Deoxyribo-type nucleobases are nucleobases other than ribo-typenucleobases and include all nucleobases that do not contain apentosefuranosyl moiety.

An oligonucleobase strand generically includes both oligonucleobasechains and segments or regions of oligonucleobase chains. Anoligonucleobase strand has a 3′ end and a 5′ end. When a oligonucleobasestrand is coextensive with a chain, the 3′ and 5′ ends of the strand arealso 3′ and 5′ termini of the chain.

According to the present invention, substantially normal growth of aplant, plant organ, plant tissue or plant cell is defined as a growthrate or rate of cell division of the plant, plant organ, plant tissue,or plant cell that is at least 35%, at least 50%, at least 60%, or atleast 75% of the growth rate or rate of cell division in a correspondingplant, plant organ, plant tissue or plant cell expressing the wild typeEPSPS protein.

According to the present invention, substantially normal development ofa plant, plant organ, plant tissue or plant cell is defined as theoccurrence of one or more developmental events in the plant, plantorgan, plant tissue or plant cell that are substantially the same asthose occurring in a corresponding plant, plant organ, plant tissue orplant cell expressing the wild type EPSPS protein.

According to the present invention plant organs include, but are notlimited to, leaves, stems, roots, vegetative buds, floral buds,meristems, embryos, cotyledons, endosperm, sepals, petals, pistils,carpels, stamens, anthers, microspores, pollen, pollen tubes, ovules,ovaries and fruits, or sections, slices or discs taken therefrom. Planttissues include, but are not limited to, callus tissues, ground tissues,vascular tissues, storage tissues, meristematic tissues, leaf tissues,shoot tissues, root tissues, gall tissues, plant tumor tissues, andreproductive tissues. Plant cells include, but are not limited to,isolated cells with cell walls, variously sized aggregates thereof, andprotoplasts.

Plants are substantially “tolerant” to glyphosate when they aresubjected to it and provide a dose/response curve which is shifted tothe right when compared with that provided by similarly subjectednon-tolerant like plant. Such dose/response curves have “dose” plottedon the X-axis and “percentage kill”, “herbicidal effect”, etc., plottedon the y-axis. Tolerant plants will require more herbicide thannon-tolerant like plants in order to produce a given herbicidal effect.Plants which are substantially “resistant” to the glyphosate exhibitfew, if any, necrotic, lytic, chlorotic or other lesions, when subjectedto glyphosate at concentrations and rates which are typically employedby the agrochemical community to kill weeds in the field. Plants whichare resistant to a herbicide are also tolerant of the herbicide. Theterms “resistant” and “tolerant” are to be construed as “tolerant and/orresistant” within the context of the present application.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is the DNA sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana EPSPS gene (SEQ IDNO:1). The bold underlined nucleotide residues are the targetedresidues.

FIG. 1B is the amino acid sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana EPSPS protein(SEQ ID NO:2). The bold and underlined amino acid residues are thetargeted residues.

FIG. 2 is a list of the Arabidopsis thaliana wild-type and mutant EPSPSnucleotide and amino acid sequences in the region of amino acid position173 to 183; wild-type nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) and wild-typeamino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:2), mutant A₁₇₇ nucleotide sequence (SEQID NO:3) and amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:4); mutant I₁₇₈ nucleotidesequence (SEQ ID NO:5) and amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:6); mutantA₁₇₇I₁₇₈ nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:7) and amino acid sequence (SEQID NO:8); mutant I₁₇₈S₁₈₂ nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:9) and aminoacid sequence (SEQ ID NO:10); mutant A₁₇₇S₁₈₂ nucleotide sequence (SEQID NO:11) and amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:12); mutant A₁₇₇I₁₇₈S₁₈₂nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:13) and amino acid sequence (SEQ IDNO:14); mutant V₁₇₇S₁₈₂ nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:15) and aminoacid sequence (SEQ ID NO:16); mutant L₁₇₈S₁₈₂ nucleotide sequence (SEQID NO:17) and amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:18); mutant A₁₇₇V₁₇₈nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:19) and amino acid sequence (SEQ IDNO:20); mutant A₁₇₇L₁₈₂ nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:21) and aminoacid sequence (SEQ ID NO:22).

FIG. 3A-C is an alignment of the DNA of Arabidopsis thaliana EPSPS geneperformed by DNAStar (LaserGene), (SEQ ID NO:1) with the nucleotidesequences of Brassica napus (SEQ ID NO:23); Petunia hybrida (SEQ IDNO:24); and Zea mays (SEQ ID NO:25) EPSPS gene. The sequences arealigned using J. Hein method with weighted residue weight table.

FIG. 4 is an alignment of the Arabidopsis thaliana EPSPS amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO:2) with the Brassica napus (SEQ. ID NO:26); Petuniahybrida (SEQ ID NO:27); and Zea mays (SEQ ID NO:28) EPSPS amino acidsequences. The sequences are aligned using J. Hein method with weightedresidue weight table.

FIG. 5 is a list of the mutagenesis primers used, with the targetedcodons in bold characters (mutant primer A₁₇₇ (SEQ ID NO:29); mutantprimer I₁₇₈ (SEQ ID NO:30); mutant primer A₁₇₇I₁₇₈ (SEQ ID NO:31);mutant primer I₁₇₈S₁₈₂ (SEQ ID NO:32); mutant primer A₁₇₇S₁₈₂ (SEQ IDNO:34); mutant primer A₁₇₇I₁₇₈S₁₈₂ (SEQ ID NO:35); mutant primerV₁₇₇S₁₈₂ (SEQ ID NO:35); mutant primer L₁₇₈S₁₈₂ (SEQ ID NO:36); mutantprimer A₁₇₇V₁₇₈ (SEQ ID NO:37); and mutant primer A₁₇₇L₁₈₂ (SEQ IDNO:38)).

FIG. 6 is the growth measured by optical density at 600 nm ofArabidopsis clones in the presence (+) and absence (−) of 17 mMglyphosate.

FIG. 7 (top panel) is a western blot showing the expression ofHis-tagged Bacillus, Arabidopsis wild type (WT) and mutant (AS) EPSPSproteins isolated from cell lysates (L) and eluates (E). UntransformedSalmonella as a negative control shows no EPSPS expression. The bottompanel is a silver-stained duplicate gel.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a non-transgenic plant or plantcell having a mutation in the EPSPS gene, which plant has increasedresistance or tolerance to a member of the phosphonomethylglycine familyand which plant exhibits substantially normal growth or development ofthe plant, its organs, tissues or cells, as compared to thecorresponding wild-type plant or cell. The present invention is alsodirected to a non-transgenic plant having a mutation in the EPSPS gene,which plant is resistant to or has an increased tolerance to a member ofthe phosphonomethylglycine family, e.g., glyphosate, wherein the mutatedEPSPS protein has substantially the same catalytic activity as comparedto the wild-type EPSPS protein.

The present invention is also directed to a method for producing anon-transgenic plant having a mutated EPSPS gene that substantiallymaintains the catalytic activity of the wild-type protein irrespectiveof the presence or absence of a herbicide of the phosphonomethylglycinefamily. The method comprises introducing into a plant cell arecombinagenic oligonucleobase with a targeted mutation in the EPSPSgene and identifying a cell, seed, or plant having a mutated EPSPS gene.

Illustrative examples of a recombinagenic oligonucleobase is found infollowing patent publications, which are incorporated in their entiretybe reference herein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,565,350; 5,756,325; 5,871,984;5,760,012; 5,731,181; 5,888,983; 5,795,972; 5,780,296; 5,945,339;6,004,804; and 6,010,907 and in International Patent No. PCT/US00/23457;and in International Patent Publication Nos. WO 98/49350; WO 99/07865;WO 99/58723; WO 99/58702; and WO 99/40789.

The plant can be of any species of dicotyledonous, monocotyledonous orgymnospermous plant, including any woody plant species that grows as atree or shrub, any herbaceous species, or any species that producesedible fruits, seeds or vegetables, or any species that producescolorful or aromatic flowers. For example, the plant may be selectedfrom a species of plant from the group consisting of canola, sunflower,tobacco, sugar beet, cotton, maize, wheat, barley, rice, sorghum,tomato, mango, peach, apple, pear, strawberry, banana, melon, potato,carrot, lettuce, onion, soya spp, sugar cane, pea, field beans, poplar,grape, citrus, alfalfa, rye, oats, turf and forage grasses, flax,oilseed rape, cucumber, morning glory, balsam, pepper, eggplant,marigold, lotus, cabbage, daisy, carnation, tulip, iris, lily, and nutproducing plants insofar as they are not already specifically mentioned.

The recombinagenic oligonucleobase can be introduced into a plant cellusing any method commonly used in the art, including but not limited to,microcarriers (biolistic delivery), microfibers, electroporation,microinjection.

The invention is also directed to the culture of cells mutated accordingto the methods of the present invention in order to obtain a plant thatproduces seeds, henceforth a “fertile plant”, and the production ofseeds and additional plants from such a fertile plant.

The invention is further directed to a method of selectively controllingweeds in a field, the field comprising plants with the disclosed EPSPSgene alterations and weeds, the method comprising application to thefield of a herbicide to which the said plants have been renderedresistant.

The invention is also directed to novel mutations in the EPSPS gene thatconfer resistance or tolerance to a member of the phosphonomethylglycinefamily, e.g., glyphosate, to a plant or wherein the mutated EPSPS hassubstantially the same enzymatic activity as compared to wild-typeEPSPS.

5.1 Recombinagenic Oligonucleobases

The invention can be practiced with recombinagenic oligonucleobaseshaving the conformations and chemistries described in U.S. Pat. No.5,565,350 to Kmiec (Kmiec I) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,181 (Kmiec II)gene, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Kmiec I teaches amethod for introducing specific genetic alterations into a target gene.The recombinagenic oligonucleobases in Kmiec I and/or Kmiec II containtwo complementary strands, one of which contains at least one segment ofRNA-type nucleotides (an “RNA segment”) that are base paired to DNA-typenucleotides of the other strand.

Kmiec II discloses that purine and pyrimidine base-containingnon-nucleotides can be substituted for nucleotides. U.S. Pat. Nos.5,756,325; 5,871,984; 5,760,012; 5,888,983; 5,795,972; 5,780,296;5,945,339; 6,004,804; and 6,010,907 and in International Patent No.PCT/US00/23457; and in International Patent Publication Nos. WO98/49350; WO 99/07865; WO 99/58723; WO 99/58702; and WO 99/40789, whichare each hereby incorporated in their entirety, disclose additionalrecombinagenic molecules that can be used for the present invention. Theterm “recombinagenic oligonucleobase” is used herein to denote themolecules that can be used in the methods of the present invention andinclude mixed duplex oligonucleotides, non-nucleotide containingmolecules taught in Kmiec II, single stranded oligodeoxynucleotides andother recombinagenic molecules taught in the above noted patents andpatent publications.

In one embodiment, the recombinagenic oligonucleobase is a mixed duplexoligonucleotide in which the RNA-type nucleotides of the mixed duplexoligonucleotide are made RNase resistant by replacing the 2′-hydroxylwith a fluoro, chloro or bromo functionality or by placing a substituenton the 2′-O. Suitable substituents include the substituents taught bythe Kmiec II. Alternative substituents include the substituents taughtby U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,711 (Sproat) and the substituents taught bypatent publications EP 629 387 and EP 679 657 (collectively, the MartinApplications), which are hereby incorporated by reference. As usedherein, a 2′-fluoro, chloro or bromo derivative of a ribonucleotide or aribonucleotide having a 2′-OH substituted with a substituent describedin the Martin Applications or Sproat is termed a “2′-SubstitutedRibonucleotide.” As used herein the term “RNA-type nucleotide” means a2′-hydroxyl or 2′-Substituted Nucleotide that is linked to othernucleotides of a mixed duplex oligonucleotide by an unsubstitutedphosphodiester linkage or any of the non-natural linkages taught byKmiec I or Kmiec II. As used herein the term “deoxyribo-type nucleotide”means a nucleotide having a 2′-H, which can be linked to othernucleotides of a MDON by an unsubstituted phosphodiester linkage or anyof the non-natural linkages taught by Kmiec I or Kmiec II.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the recombinagenicoligonucleobase is a mixed duplex oligonucleotide that is linked solelyby unsubstituted phosphodiester bonds. In alternative embodiments, thelinkage is by substituted phosphodiesters, phosphodiester derivativesand non-phosphorus-based linkages as taught by Kmiec II. In yet anotherembodiment, each RNA-type nucleotide in the mixed duplex oligonucleotideis a 2′-Substituted Nucleotide. Particular preferred embodiments of2′-Substituted Ribonucleotides are 2′-fluoro, 2′-methoxy, 2′-propyloxy,2′-allyloxy, 2′-hydroxylethyloxy, 2′-methoxyethyloxy, 2′-fluoropropyloxyand 2′-trifluoropropyloxy substituted ribonucleotides. More preferredembodiments of 2′-Substituted Ribonucleotides are 2′-fluoro, 2′-methoxy,2′-methoxyethyloxy, and 2′-allyloxy substituted nucleotides. In anotherembodiment the mixed duplex oligonucleotide is linked by unsubstitutedphosphodiester bonds.

Although mixed duplex oligonucleotide having only a single type of2′-substituted RNA-type nucleotide are more conveniently synthesized,the methods of the invention can be practiced with mixed duplexoligonucleotides having two or more types of RNA-type nucleotides. Thefunction of an RNA segment may not be affected by an interruption causedby the introduction of a deoxynucleotide between two RNA-typetrinucleotides, accordingly, the term RNA segment encompasses such an“interrupted RNA segment.” An uninterrupted RNA segment is termed acontiguous RNA segment. In an alternative embodiment an RNA segment cancontain alternating RNase-resistant and unsubstituted 2′-OH nucleotides.The mixed duplex oligonucleotides preferably have fewer than 100nucleotides and more preferably fewer than 85 nucleotides, but more than50 nucleotides. The first and second strands are Watson-Crick basepaired. In one embodiment the strands of the mixed duplexoligonucleotide are covalently bonded by a linker, such as a singlestranded hexa, penta or tetranucleotide so that the first and secondstrands are segments of a single oligonucleotide chain having a single3′ and a single 5′ end. The 3′ and 5′ ends can be protected by theaddition of a “hairpin cap” whereby the 3′ and 5′ terminal nucleotidesare Watson-Crick paired to adjacent nucleotides. A second hairpin capcan, additionally, be placed at the junction between the first andsecond strands distant from the 3′ and 5′ ends, so that the Watson-Crickpairing between the first and second strands is stabilized.

The first and second strands contain two regions that are homologouswith two fragments of the target EPSPS gene, i.e., have the samesequence as the target gene. A homologous region contains thenucleotides of an RNA segment and may contain one or more DNA-typenucleotides of connecting DNA segment and may also contain DNA-typenucleotides that are not within the intervening DNA segment. The tworegions of homology are separated by, and each is adjacent to, a regionhaving a sequence that differs from the sequence of the target gene,termed a “heterologous region.” The heterologous region can contain one,two or three mismatched nucleotides. The mismatched nucleotides can becontiguous or alternatively can be separated by one or two nucleotidesthat are homologous with the target gene. Alternatively, theheterologous region can also contain an insertion or one, two, three orof five or fewer nucleotides. Alternatively, the sequence of the mixedduplex oligonucleotide may differ from the sequence of the target geneonly by the deletion of one, two, three, or five or fewer nucleotidesfrom the mixed duplex oligonucleotide. The length and position of theheterologous region is, in this case, deemed to be the length of thedeletion, even though no nucleotides of the mixed duplex oligonucleotideare within the heterologous region. The distance between the fragmentsof the target gene that are complementary to the two homologous regionsis identically the length of the heterologous region when a substitutionor substitutions is intended. When the heterologous region contains aninsertion, the homologous regions are thereby separated in the mixedduplex oligonucleotide farther than their complementary homologousfragments are in the gene, and the converse is applicable when theheterologous region encodes a deletion.

The RNA segments of the mixed duplex oligonucleotides are each a part ofa homologous region, i.e., a region that is identical in sequence to afragment of the target gene, which segments together preferably containat least 13 RNA-type nucleotides and preferably from 16 to 25 RNA-typenucleotides or yet more preferably 18-22 RNA-type nucleotides or mostpreferably 20 nucleotides. In one embodiment, RNA segments of thehomology regions are separated by and adjacent to, i.e., “connected by”an intervening DNA segment. In one embodiment, each nucleotide of theheterologous region is a nucleotide of the intervening DNA segment. Anintervening DNA segment that contains the heterologous region of a mixedduplex oligonucleotide is termed a “mutator segment.”

The change to be introduced into the target EPSPS gene is encoded by theheterologous region. The change to be introduced into the EPSPS gene maybe a change in one or more bases of the EPSPS gene sequence or theaddition or deletion of one or more bases.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the recombinagenicoligonucleobase is a single stranded oligodeoxynucleotide mutationalvector or SSOMV, which is disclosed in International Patent ApplicationPCT/US00/23457, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Thesequence of the SSOMV is based on the same principles as the mutationalvectors described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,756,325; 5,871,984; 5,760,012;5,888,983; 5,795,972; 5,780,296; 5,945,339; 6,004,804; and 6,010,907 andin International Publication Nos. WO 98/49350; WO 99/07865; WO 99/58723;WO 99/58702; and WO 99/40789. The sequence of the SSOMV contains tworegions that are homologous with the target sequence separated by aregion that contains the desired genetic alteration termed the mutatorregion. The mutator region can have a sequence that is the same lengthas the sequence that separates the homologous regions in the targetsequence, but having a different sequence. Such a mutator region cancause a substitution. Alternatively, the homolgous regions in the SSOMVcan be contiguous to each other, while the regions in the target genehaving the same sequence are separated by one, two or more nucleotides.Such a SSOMV causes a deletion from the target gene of the nucleotidesthat are absent from the SSOMV. Lastly, the sequence of the target genethat is identical to the homologous regions may be adjacent in thetarget gene but separated by one two or more nucleotides in the sequenceof the SSOMV. Such an SSOMV causes an insertion in the sequence oftarget gene.

The nucleotides of the SSOMV are deoxyribonucleotides that are linked byunmodified phosphodiester bonds except that the 3′ terminal and/or 5′terminal internucleotide linkage or alternatively the two 3′ terminaland/or 5′ terminal internucleotide linkages can be a phosphorothioate orphosphoamidate. As used herein an internucleotide linkage is the linkagebetween nucleotides of the SSOMV and does not include the linkagebetween the 3′ end nucleotide or 5′ end nucleotide and a blockingsubstituent, see supra. In a specific embodiment the length of the SSOMVis between 21 and 55 deoxynucleotides and the lengths of the homologyregions are, accordingly, a total length of at least 20 deoxynucleotidesand at least two homology regions should each have lengths of at least 8deoxynucleotides.

The SSOMV can be designed to be complementary to either the coding orthe non-coding strand of the target gene. When the desired mutation is asubstitution of a single base, it is preferred that both the mutatornucleotide be a pyrimidine. To the extent that is consistent withachieving the desired functional result it is preferred that both themutator nucleotide and the targeted nucleotide in the complementarystrand be pyrimidines. Particularly preferred are SSOMV that encodetransversion mutations, i.e., a C or T mutator nucleotide is mismatched,respectively, with a C or T nucleotide in the complementary strand.

In addition to the oligodeoxynucleotide the SSOMV can contain a 5′blocking substituent that is attached to the 5′ terminal carbons througha linker. The chemistry of the linker is not critical other than itslength, which should preferably be at least 6 atoms long and that thelinker should be flexible. A variety of non-toxic substituents such asbiotin, cholesterol or other steroids or a non-intercalating cationicfluorescent dye can be used. Particularly preferred as reagents to makeSSOMV are the reagents sold as Cy3™ and Cy5™ by Glen Research, SterlingVa., which are blocked phosphoroamidites that upon incorporation into anoligonucleotide yield 3,3,3′,3′-tetramethyl N,N′-isopropyl substitutedindomonocarbocyanine and indodicarbocyanine dyes, respectively. Cy3 isthe most preferred. When the indocarbocyanine is N-oxyalkyl substitutedit can be conveniently linked to the 5′ terminal of theoligodeoxynucleotide through as a phosphodiester with a 5′ terminalphosphate. The chemistry of the dye linker between the dye and theoligodeoxynucleotide is not critical and is chosen for syntheticconvenience. When the commercially available Cy3 phosphoramidite is usedas directed the resulting 5′ modification consists of a blockingsubstituent and linker together which are a N-hydroxypropyl,N′-phosphatidylpropyl 3,3,3′,3′-tetramethyl indomonocarbocyanine.

In the preferred embodiment the indocarbocyanine dye is tetrasubstituted at the 3 and 3′ positions of the indole rings. Withoutlimitation as to theory these substitutions prevent the dye from beingan intercalating dye. The identity of the substituents at thesepositions are not critical. The SSOMV can in addition have a 3′ blockingsubstituent. Again the chemistry of the 3′ blocking substituent is notcritical.

5.2 The Location and Type of Mutation Introduced into the EPSPS Gene

In one embodiment of the present invention, the Arabidopsis thalianaEPSPS gene (see FIG. 1A) and corresponding EPSPS enzyme (see FIG. 1B)comprises a mutation at one or more amino acid residues selected fromthe group consisting of Leu₁₇₃, Gly₁₇₇, Thr₁₇₈, Ala₁₇₉, Met₁₈₀, Arg₁₈₁,Pro₁₈₂, Ser₉₈, Ser₂₅₅ and Leu₁₉₈, or at an analogous position in anEPSPS paralog, and the mutation results in one or more of the followingamino acid substitutions in the EPSPS enzyme in comparison with thewild-type sequence:

-   -   (i) Leu₁₇₃-Phe    -   (ii) Gly₁₇₇-Ala or Ile    -   (iii) Thr₁₇₈-Ile or Val or Leu    -   (iv) Ala₁₇₉-Gly    -   (v) Met₁₈₀-Cys    -   (vi) Arg₁₈₁-Leu or Ser    -   (vii) Pro₁₈₂-Leu or Ser    -   (viii) Ser₉₈-Asp    -   (ix) Ser₂₅₅-Ala    -   (x) Leu₁₉₈-Lys.

In another embodiment of the present invention, within the EPSPS geneproduct, the amino acid residue to be changed is Leu within thecontiguous sequence Leu-Tyr-Leu-Gly-Asn (SEQ ID NO:29) and is changed toPhe; or the amino acid residue to be changed is Gly within thecontiguous sequence Asn-Ala-Gly-Thr-Ala (SEQ ID NO:30) and is changed toAla or Ile; or the amino acid to be changed is Thr within the contiguoussequence Ala-Gly-Thr-Ala-Met (SEQ ID NO:31) and is changed to Ile, Valor Leu; or the amino acid to be changed is Ala within the contiguoussequence Gly-Thr-Ala-Met-Arg (SEQ ID NO:32) and is changed to Gly; orthe amino acid to be changed is Met within the contiguous sequenceThr-Ala-Met-Arg-Pro (SEQ ID NO:33) and is changed to Cys; or the aminoacid to be changed is Arg within the contiguous sequenceAla-Met-Arg-Pro-Leu (SEQ ID NO:34) and is changed to Leu or Ser; or theamino acid to be changed is Pro within the contiguous sequenceMet-Arg-Pro-Leu-Thr (SEQ ID NO:35) and is changed to Leu or Ser; or theamino acid to be changed is Ser within a contiguous Pro-Gly-Ser-Lys-Ser(SEQ ID NO:36) and is changed to Asp; or the amino acid to be changed isSer within the contiguous sequence Ile-Ser-Ser-Gln-Tyr (SEQ ID NO:37)and is changed to Ala; or the amino acid to be changed is Leu within thecontiguous sequence Tyr-Val-Leu-Asp-Gly (SEQ ID NO:38) and is changed toLys. In other embodiments, one or more of the foregoing changes can bemade in the EPSPS amino acid sequence.

Alternatively, and/or additionally, the mutation may result in thereplacement of any amino acid at positions corresponding to 256, 284-288and 353-356 with respect to the EPSPS protein depicted in FIG. 1B (SEQID NO. 2).

In specific embodiments of the present invention, the EPSPS gene ismutated at amino acid position 177 in which Gly is replaced by Ala.Another specific embodiment is the substitution of Thr at amino acidposition 178 by Ile. A further specific embodiment comprises a mutationat amino acid position 177 in which Gly is replaced by Ala, plus theadditional substitution of Thr at amino acid position 178 by Ile. Otherspecific embodiments of the present invention are directed to mutationsat amino acid position 178, in which Thr is replaced by Ile, plus theadditional mutation at position 182, in which Pro is replaced by Ser.Other embodiments include the substitution of Gly at amino acid position177 by Ala, plus the additional mutation at amino acid position 182, inwhich Pro is substituted by Ser. Other mutated EPSPS sequences comprisethe substitution of Gly at position 177 by Ala, plus the substitution atposition 178, in which Thr is replaced by Ile, plus the additionalsubstitution of Pro at amino acid position 182 by Ser. Anotherembodiment is the substitution of Thr at amino acid position 178 by Valand the additional mutation at amino acid position 182, in which Pro isreplaced by Ser. A further specific embodiment includes the substitutionof Thr at position 178 by Leu, plus the mutation at amino acid position182, in which Pro is replaced by Ser. A further embodiment includes, thesubstitution at amino acid position 177 in which Gly is replaced by Ala,plus the substitution of Thr at position 178 by Val. The invention alsoembodies the substitution at amino acid position 177 in which Gly isreplaced by Ala, plus the replacement of Thr at amino acid position 178by Leu (see FIG. 2).

The foregoing mutations in the EPSPS gene were described using theArabidopsis thaliana EPSPS gene (SEQ ID NO:1) and protein (SEQ ID NO:2).The present invention also encompasses mutant EPSPS genes of otherspecies (paralogs). However, due to variations in the EPSPS genes ofdifferent species, the number of the amino acid residue to be changed inone species may be different in another species. Nevertheless, theanalogous position is readily identified by one of skill in the art bysequence homology. For example, FIG. 3A-C shows the aligned nucleotidesequences and FIG. 4 shows the aligned amino acid sequences of fourparalogs of the EPSPS gene, Arabidopsis thaliana, Zea mays, Petuniahybrida, and Brassica napus. Thus, the analogous positions in Zea maysare Leu₉₇, Gly₁₀₁, Thr₁₀₂, Ala₁₀₃, Met₁₀₄, Arg₁₀₅, Pro₁₀₆, Ser₂₃, Ser₁₇₉and Leu₁₂₂. Thus, the Zea mays EPSPS amino acid sequence is mutated atone or more of the following amino acid positions and results in one ormore of the following substitutions:

-   -   (i) Leu₉₇-Phe    -   (ii) Gly₁₀₁-Ala or Ile    -   (iii) Thr₁₀₂-Ile or Val or Leu    -   (iv) Ala₁₀₃-Gly    -   (v) Met₁₀₄-Cys    -   (vi) Arg₁₀₅-Leu or Ser    -   (vii) Pro₁₀₆-Leu or Ser    -   (viii) Ser₂₃-Asp    -   (ix) Ser₁₇₉-Ala    -   (x) Leu₁₂₂-Lys.

In another embodiment of the present invention, within the Zea maysEPSPS gene product the amino acid residue to be changed is Leu withinthe contiguous sequence Leu-Phe-Leu-Gly-Asn (SEQ ID NO:39) and ischanged to Phe; or the amino acid residue to be changed is Gly withinthe contiguous sequence Asn-Ala-Gly-Thr-Ala (SEQ ID NO:30) and ischanged to Ala or Ile; or the amino acid to be changed is Thr within thecontiguous sequence Ala-Gly-Thr-Ala-Met (SEQ ID NO:31) and is changed toIle, Val or Leu; or the amino acid to be changed is Ala within thecontiguous sequence Gly-Thr-Ala-Met-Arg (SEQ ID NO:32) and is changed toGly; or the amino acid to be changed is Met within the contiguoussequence Thr-Ala-Met-Arg-Pro (SEQ ID NO:33) and is changed to Cys; orthe amino acid to be changed is Arg within the contiguous sequenceAla-Met-Arg-Pro-Leu (SEQ ID NO:34) and is changed to Leu or Ser; or theamino acid to be changed is Pro within the contiguous sequenceMet-Arg-Pro-Leu-Thr (SEQ ID NO:35) and is changed to Leu or Ser; or theamino acid to be changed is Ser within a contiguous Pro-Gly-Ser-Lys-Ser(SEQ ID NO:36) and is changed to Asp; or the amino acid to be changed isSer within the contiguous sequence Ile-Ser-Ser-Gin-Tyr (SEQ ID NO:37)and is changed to Ala; or the amino acid to be changed is Leu within thecontiguous sequence Tyr-Val-Leu-Asp-Gly (SEQ ID NO:38) and is changed toLys. In other embodiments, one or more of the foregoing changes can bemade in the EPSPS amino acid sequence.

In Brassica napus, the analogous amino acid positions are Leu₁₆₉,Gly₁₇₃, Thr₁₇₄, Ala₁₇₅, Met₁₇₆, Arg₁₇₇, Pro₁₇₈, Ser₉₄, Ser₂₅₁, andLeu₁₉₄. Thus, the Brassica napus EPSPS amino acid sequence is mutated atone or more of the following amino acid positions and results in one ormore of the following substitutions:

-   -   (i) Leu₁₆₉-Phe    -   (ii) Gly₁₇₃-Ala or Ile    -   (iii) Thr₁₇₄-Ile or Val or Leu    -   (iv) Ala₁₇₅-Gly    -   (v) Met₁₇₆-Cys    -   (vi) Arg₁₇₇-Leu or Ser    -   (vii) Pro₁₇₈-Leu or Ser    -   (viii) Ser₉₄-Asp    -   (ix) Ser₂₅₁-Ala    -   (x) Leu₁₉₄-Lys

In another embodiment of the present invention, within the Brassicanapus EPSPS gene product the amino acid residue to be changed is Leuwithin the contiguous sequence Leu-Tyr-Leu-Gly-Asn (SEQ ID NO:29) and ischanged to Phe; or the amino acid residue to be changed is Gly withinthe contiguous sequence Asn-Ala-Gly-Thr-Ala (SEQ ID NO:30) and ischanged to Ala or Ile; or the amino acid to be changed is Thr within thecontiguous sequence Ala-Gly-Thr-Ala-Met (SEQ ID NO:31) and is changed toIle, Val or Leu; or the amino acid to be changed is Ala within thecontiguous sequence Gly-Thr-Ala-Met-Arg (SEQ ID NO:32) and is changed toGly; or the amino acid to be changed is Met within the contiguoussequence Thr-Ala-Met-Arg-Pro (SEQ ID NO:33) and is changed to Cys; orthe amino acid to be changed is Arg within the contiguous sequenceAla-Met-Arg-Pro-Leu (SEQ ID NO:34) and is changed to Leu or Ser; or theamino acid to be changed is Pro within the contiguous sequenceMet-Arg-Pro-Leu-Thr (SEQ ID NO:35) and is changed to Leu or Ser; or theamino acid to be changed is Ser within a contiguous Pro-Gly-Ser-Lys-Ser(SEQ ID NO:36) and is changed to Asp; or the amino acid to be changed isSer within the contiguous sequence Ile-Ser-Ser-Gln-Tyr (SEQ ID NO:37)and is changed to Ala; or the amino acid to be changed is Leu within thecontiguous sequence Tyr-Val-Leu-Asp-Gly (SEQ ID NO:38) and is changed toLys. In other embodiments, one or more of the foregoing changes can bemade in the EPSPS amino acid sequence.

In Petunia hybrida the analogous positions are Leu₁₆₉, Gly₁₇₃, Thr₁₇₄,Ala₁₇₅, Met₁₇₆, Arg₁₇₇, Pro₁₇₈, Ser₉₄, Ser₂₅₁ and Leu₁₉₄. Thus, thePetunia hybrida EPSPS amino acid sequence is mutated at one or more ofthe following amino acid positions and results in one or more of thefollowing substitutions:

-   -   (i) Leu₁₆₉-Phe    -   (ii) Gly₁₇₃-Ala or Ile    -   (iii) Thr₁₇₄-Ile or Val or Leu    -   (iv) Ala₁₇₅-Gly    -   (v) Met₁₇₆-Cys    -   (vi) Arg₁₇₇-Leu or Ser    -   (vii) Pro₁₇₈-Leu or Ser    -   (viii) Ser₉₄-Asp    -   (ix) Ser₂₅₁-Ala    -   (x) Leu₁₉₄-Lys

In another embodiment of the present invention, within the Petuniahybrida EPSPS gene product the amino acid residue to be changed is Leuwithin the contiguous sequence Leu-Phe-Leu-Gly-Asn (SEQ ID NO:39) and ischanged to Phe; or the amino acid residue to be changed is Gly withinthe contiguous sequence Asn-Ala-Gly-Thr-Ala (SEQ ID NO:30) and ischanged to Ala or Ile; or the amino acid to be changed is Thr within thecontiguous sequence Ala-Gly-Thr-Ala-Met (SEQ ID NO:31) and is changed toIle, Val or Leu; or the amino acid to be changed is Ala within thecontiguous sequence Gly-Thr-Ala-Met-Arg (SEQ ID NO:32) and is changed toGly; or the amino acid to be changed is Met within the contiguoussequence Thr-Ala-Met-Arg-Pro (SEQ ID NO:33) and is changed to Cys; orthe amino acid to be changed is Arg within the contiguous sequenceAla-Met-Arg-Pro-Leu (SEQ ID NO:34) and is changed to Leu or Ser; or theamino acid to be changed is Pro within the contiguous sequenceMet-Arg-Pro-Leu-Thr (SEQ ID NO:35) and is changed to Leu or Ser; or theamino acid to be changed is Ser within a contiguous Pro-Gly-Ser-Lys-Ser(SEQ ID NO:36) and is changed to Asp; or the amino acid to be changed isSer within the contiguous sequence Ile-Ser-Ser-Gln-Tyr (SEQ ID NO:37)and is changed to Ala; or the amino acid to be changed is Leu within thecontiguous sequence Tyr-Val-Leu-Asp-Gly (SEQ ID NO:38) and is changed toLys. In other embodiments, one or more of the foregoing changes can bemade in the EPSPS amino acid sequence.

5.3 The Delivery of Recombinagenic Oligonucleobases into Plant Cells

Any commonly known method can be used in the methods of the presentinvention to transform a plant cell with a recombinagenicoligonucleobases. Illustrative methods are listed below.

5.3.1 Microcarriers and Microfibers

The use of metallic microcarriers (microspheres) for introducing largefragments of DNA into plant cells having cellulose cell walls byprojectile penetration is well known to those skilled in the relevantart (henceforth biolistic delivery). U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,945,050; 5,100,792and 5,204,253 describe general techniques for selecting microcarriersand devices for projecting them.

Specific conditions for using microcarriers in the methods of thepresent invention are described in International Publication WO99/07865. In an illustrative technique, ice cold microcarriers (60mg/ml), mixed duplex oligonucleotide (60 mg/ml) 2.5 M CaCl₂ and 0.1 Mspermidine are added in that order; the mixture gently agitated, e.g.,by vortexing, for 10 minutes and let stand at room temperature for 10minutes, whereupon the microcarriers are diluted in 5 volumes ofethanol, centrifuged and resuspended in 100% ethanol. Good results canbe obtained with a concentration in the adhering solution of 8-10 μg/μlmicrocarriers, 14-17 μg/ml mixed duplex oligonucleotide, 1.1-1.4 M CaCl₂and 18-22 mM spermidine. Optimal results were observed under theconditions of 8 μg/μl microcarriers, 16.5 μg/ml mixed duplexoligonucleotide, 1.3 M CaCl₂ and 21 mM spermidine.

Recombinagenic oligonucleobases can also be introduced into plant cellsfor the practice of the present invention using microfibers to penetratethe cell wall and cell membrane. U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,523 to Coffee etal. describes the use of 30×0.5 μm and 10×0.3 μm silicon carbide fibersto facilitate transformation of suspension maize cultures of BlackMexican Sweet. Any mechanical technique that can be used to introduceDNA for transformation of a plant cell using microfibers can be used todeliver recombinagenic oligonucleobases for transmutation.

An illustrative technique for microfiber delivery of a recombinagenicoligonucleobase is as follows: Sterile microfibers (2 μg) are suspendedin 150 μl of plant culture medium containing about 10 μg of a mixedduplex oligonucleotide. A suspension culture is allowed to settle andequal volumes of packed cells and the sterile fiber/nucleotidesuspension are vortexed for 10 minutes and plated. Selective media areapplied immediately or with a delay of up to about 120 hours as isappropriate for the particular trait.

5.3.2 Protoplast Electroporation

In an alternative embodiment, the recombinagenic oligonucleobases can bedelivered to the plant cell by electroporation of a protoplast derivedfrom a plant part. The protoplasts are formed by enzymatic treatment ofa plant part, particularly a leaf, according to techniques well known tothose skilled in the art. See, e.g., Gallois et al., 1996, in Methods inMolecular Biology. 55: 89-107, Humana Press, Totowa, N.J.; Kipp et al.,1999, in Methods in Molecular Biology 133: 213-221, Humana Press,Totowa, N.J. The protoplasts need not be cultured in growth media priorto electroporation. Illustrative conditions for electroporation are3×10⁵ protoplasts in a total volume of 0.3 ml with a concentration ofrecombinagenic oligonucleobase of between 0.6-4 μg/mL.

5.3.3 Whiskers and Microinjection

In yet another alternative embodiment, the recombinagenicoligonucleobase can be delivered to the plant cell by whiskers ormicroinjection of the plant cell. The so called whiskers technique isperformed essentially as described in Frame et al., 1994, Plant J. 6:941-948. The recombinagenic oligonucleobase is added to the whiskers andused to transform the plant cells. The recombinagenic oligonucleobasemay be co-incubated with plasmids comprising sequences encoding proteinscapable of forming recombinase complexes in plant cells such thatrecombination is catalyzed between the oligonucleotide and the targetsequence in the EPSPS gene.

5.4 Selection of Glyphosate Resistant Plants

Plants or plant cells can be tested for resistance or tolerance to aherbicide using commonly known methods in the art, e.g., by growing theplant or plant cell in the presence of a herbicide and measuring therate of growth as compared to the growth rate in the absence of theherbicide.

6. EXAMPLE

The following experiments demonstrate the production of mutantArabidopsis thaliana EPSPS genes which are resistant to the herbicideglyphosate and which allows the plant cells to maintain a growth rate.

6.1 Material and Methods

6.1.1 Isolation of Arabidopsis thaliana EPSPS cDNA

A 1.3 kb DNA fragment was amplified by PCR from an Arabidopsis cDNAlibrary using the primers AtEXPEXPM1 and AtEXPEXP2CM-2. The two primerswere designed to amplify the cDNA from the mature peptide to thetermination codon. The 5′ primer AtEXPEXPM1 contains an XbaI site(underlined) and the 3′ primer AtEXPEXP2CM-2 contains a BglII site(underlined), sites which will be of use for cloning of the fragmentinto the expression vector.

AtEXPEXPM1 5′-GCTCTAGAGAAAGCGTCGGAGATTGTACTT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:40)

AtEXPEXP2CM-2 (SEQ ID NO:41)5′-GCAGATCTGAGCTCTTAGTGCTTTGTGATTCTTTCAAGTAC-3′

The PCR band was excised from the agarose gel and purified (GeneClean,Biol). Its sequence was then confirmed as the mature peptide sequence ofArabidopsis thaliana EPSPS gene.

6.1.2 Preparation of the Expression Vector

The EPSPS coding region of the AroE Bacillus subtilis gene was obtainedby PCR using the following primers:

BsAroE5′Xba 5′-GCGTCTAGAAAAACGAGATAAGGTGCAG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:42) and

BsAroE3′BamHI (SEQ ID NO:43)5′-GCGGATCCTCAGGATTTTTTCGAAAGCTTATTTAAATG-3′.

The PCR fragment, lacking an initiation codon (ATG), was cloned in-frameto the pACLacIMH6RecA vector by replacing the ORF of RecA by digestingwith XbaI and BamHI. PACLacIMH6RecA contained the LacI region of Pet21at positions 1440 to 3176, the MH6 RecA at positions 3809 to 5188,chloramphenicol resistance gene at positions 5445-218 (5446 to 5885 and1 to 218), and the p15A origin of replication at positions 581 to 1424.The coding region of RecA gene was cloned from E. coli in-frame with thestart codon and 6 histidine linker (MH6) behind the LacZ promoter ofpUC19.

6.1.3 Cloning of the Arabidopsis EPSPS Gene into Bacterial ExpressionVector

The Arabidopsis 1.3 kb PCR fragment was digested with XbaI and BamHI(compatible with BglII) and cloned into the plasmid pACYCLacIMH6EPSPS,in place of the Bacillus gene.

The clones obtained (selected on chloramphenicol) were then sequencedand confirmed positive. One of the confirmed clones (pAtEPS-12) wasselected and the junctions between the cDNA and the cloning plasmid werealso confirmed to be identical to the expected sequences.

6.1.4 Novel Point Mutations in the EPSPS Gene

Ten different mutants of the Arabidopsis thaliana EPSPS gene weredesigned, (see FIG. 2). For the mutagenesis experiments, PCR primerswere designed with one, two or three mutations. The PCR reactions wereperformed using a regular flanking primer (5′ ATEPS-198:5′-GAAAGCGTCGGAGATTGTAC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:44)) and one of themutation-carrying primers (see FIG. 5).

The 353 bp PCR fragments obtained were purified (Qiagen PCR Purificationkit) and their sequence confirmed. The fragments were then digested withPstI (underlined in the primer sequences) and BamHI and ligated to thepAtEPS-12 vector, which had itself been previously digested with PstIand BamHI.JM109 (Promega) competent cells were used for thetransformation and plated onto chloramphenicol-containing LB plates.Clones from each mutagenesis experiment were then isolated and theirsequence confirmed.

6.1.5 Glyphosate Resistance Assays

Electrocompetent cells of SA4247, a LacZ-Salmonella typhi strain, wereprepared according to well known procedures (see Current Protocols inMolecular Biology, (Wiley and Sons, Inc.)). 30 μl of SA4247 competentcells were electroporated with 20 ng of each plasmid DNA encodingArabidopsis wild-type and mutant EPSPS proteins, Bacillus wild-typeEPSPS, along with a mock transfection as a control. The settings forelectroporation were 25 μF, 2.5 KV and 200 ohms. After electroporation,the cells were transferred into 15 mls culture tube and supplementedwith 970 μl of SOC medium. The cultures were incubated for 1½ hours at37° C. at 225 rpm. 50 μl of each culture were plated onto LB platescontaining 17 μg/ml chloramphenicol (in duplicates) and incubatedovernight at 37° C. On the following day, 5 colonies of each plate werepicked and transferred onto M9 plates and incubated overnight at 37° C.

Colonies from the overnight incubation on solid M9 were inoculated into4 ml of liquid M9 medium and grown overnight at 37° C. On the followingday, 25 ml of liquid M9 medium containing chloramphenicol, IPTG and 17mM or 0 mM Glyphosate (Aldrich, 33775-7) were inoculated with 1-2 mls ofeach overnight culture (in duplicates), the starting OD (at 600 nm) wasmeasured and all the cultures were normalized to start at the same OD.An OD measurement was taken every hour for seven hours. As a control ofthe bacterial growth, a culture of untransformed Salmonella was alsoinoculated into plain LB medium. In two independent experiments, theclones A₁₇₇I₁₇₈, A₁₇₇V₁₇₈, A₁₇₇L₁₇₈ and I₁₇₇ did not grow in M9 medium,therefore the glyphosate-resistance assays could not be performed onthem.

6.1.7 Isolation and Purification of the Expressed Protein from BacterialClones

One milliliter of overnight culture of each of the bacterial clones isinoculated into 100 ml of liquid LB medium containing chloramphenicol.The cells were allowed to grow at 37° C. until they reached an OD of0.5-0.7 (approximately 3½ hours). IPTG was then added to the cultures toa concentration of 1.0 mM. The cells were grown five additional hours.They were then pelleted at 4000 rpm for 20 minutes at 4° C.

The isolation and the purification of the His-tagged proteins wereperformed following the Qiagen Ni-NTA Protein Purification System: Celllysates and eluates were run in duplicates on 12.5% acrylamide gels. Oneof the gels was silver-stained for immediate visualization, the secondgel was transferred onto Millipore Immobilon-P membrane, and blockedovernight in 5% milk in TBS-T. The membrane was then exposed to Anti-Hisprimary antibody solution (Amersham Pharmacia biotech, cat# 37-4710),followed by exposure to Anti-Mouse-IgG secondary antibody solution.(NIF825, from Amersham Pharmacia biotech ECLWestern blotting anlysissystem, cat# RPN2108). Washes and detection reactions were performedaccording to the manufacturer instructions. Autoradiograms weredeveloped after 5 minutes exposure.

6.2 Results

Cells containing a mutation in the EPSPS gene produced cells that wereboth resistant to the herbicide glyphosate and that had a substantiallysimilar growth rate in the absence or presence of glyphosate, ascompared to the wild-type cells, irrespective of the presence ofglyphosate (see FIG. 6).

It was also demonstrated that the Arabidopsis clones containing a mutantEPSPS gene expressed the mutant protein at substantially the same levelas the wild-type protein (see FIG. 7).

The invention claimed and described herein is not to be limited in scopeby the specific embodiments, including but not limited to the depositedmicroorganism embodiments, herein disclosed since these embodiments areintended as illustrations of several aspects of the invention. Indeed,various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown anddescribed herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fallwithin the scope of the appended claims.

A number of references are cited herein, the entire disclosures of whichare incorporated herein, in their entirety, by reference.

1. A non-transgenic herbicide resistant plant which comprises a plantthat expresses a mutant EPSPS gene product instead of a wild-type EPSPSgene product wherein the wild-type EPSPS gene product has been mutatedat one or more amino acid positions, said positions selected from thegroup consisting of Leu₁₇₃, Ala₁₇₉, Met₁₈₀, Arg₁₈₁, Ser₉₈, Ser₂₅₅ andLeu₁₉₈ in Arabidopsis or at an analogous amino acid residue in an EPSPSparalog and said plant has substantially normal growth as compared to aplant expressing the wild-type EPSPS gene product.
 2. A non-transgenicherbicide resistant plant which comprises a plant that expresses amutant EPSPS gene product instead of a wild-type EPSPS gene productwherein the wild-type EPSPS gene product has been mutated at one or moreamino acid positions, said positions selected from the group consistingof Leu₁₇₃, Ala₁₇₉, Met₁₈₀, Arg₁₈₁, Ser₉₈, Ser₂₅₅ and Leu₁₉₈ inArabidopsis or at an analogous amino acid residue in an EPSPS paralogand said plant has substantially the same catalytic activity as comparedto a plant expressing the wild-type EPSPS gene product.
 3. The plantaccording to claim 1 in which the herbicide is a member of thephosphonomethylglycine family.
 4. The plant according to claim 3 inwhich the member of the phosphonomethylglycine family is glyphosate. 5.The plant according to claim 1 in which the positions in the Zea maysparalog are selected from the group consisting of Leu₉₇, Ala₁₀₃, Met₁₀₄,Arg₁₀₅, Ser₂₃, Ser₁₇₉ and Leu₁₂₂.
 6. The plant according to claim 1 inwhich the positions in the Brassica napus paralog are selected from thegroup consisting of Leu₁₆₉, Ala₁₇₅, Met₁₇₆, Arg₁₇₇, Ser₉₄, Ser₂₅₁ andLeu₁₉₄.
 7. The plant according to claim 1, in which the positions in thePetunia hybrida are selected from the group consisting of Leu₁₆₉,Ala₁₇₅, Met₁₇₆, Arg₁₇₇, Ser₉₄, Ser₂₅₁ and Leu₁₉₄.
 8. The plant accordingto claim 1 in which the plant is selected from the group consisting ofcorn, wheat, rice, barley, soybean, cotton, sugar beet, oilseed rape,canola, flax, sunflower, potato, tobacco, tomato, alfalfa, poplar, pine,eukalyptus, apple, lettuce, peas, lentils, grape and turf grasses. 9.The plant according to claim 1 in which the mutated gene results in oneor more of the following amino acid substitutions in the EPSPS enzyme incomparison with the wild-type sequence: (i) Leu₁₇₃-Phe (ii) Ala₁₇₉-Gly(iii) Met₁₈₀-Cys (iv) Arg₁₈₁-Leu or Ser (v) Ser₉₈-Asp (vi) Ser₂₅₅-Ala(vii) Leu₁₉₈-Lys.
 10. The plant according to claim 6 in which themutated gene results in one or more of the following amino acidsubstitutions in the EPSPS enzyme in comparison with the wild-typesequence: (i) Leu₉₇-Phe (ii) Ala₁₀₃-Gly (iii) Met₁₀₄-Cys (iv) Arg₁₀₅-Leuor Ser (v) Ser₂₃-Asp (vi) Ser₁₇₉-Ala (vii) Leu₁₂₂-Lys.
 11. The plantaccording to claim 7 in which the mutated gene results in one or more ofthe following amino acid substitutions in the EPSPS enzyme in comparisonwith the wild-type sequence: (i) Leu₁₆₉-Phe (ii) Ala₁₇₅-Gly (iii)Met₁₇₆-Cys (iv) Arg₁₇₇-Leu or Ser (v) Ser₉₄-Asp (vi) Ser₂₅₁-Ala (vii)Leu₁₉₄-Lys.
 12. The plant according to claim 8 in which the mutated generesults in one or more of the following amino acid substitutions in theEPSPS enzyme in comparison with the wild-type sequence: (i) Leu₁₆₉-Phe(ii) Ala₁₇₅-Gly (iii) Met₁₇₆-Cys (iv) Arg₁₇₇-Leu or Ser (v) Ser₉₄-Asp(vi) Ser₂₅₁-Ala (vii) Leu₁₉₄-Lys.
 13. An isolated mutant EPSPS proteincomprising the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2, in which anyone or more of the following amino acid positions are changed: Leu₁₇₃ isreplaced with Phe, Ala₁₇₉ is replaced with Gly, Met₁₈₀ is replaced withCys, Arg₁₈₁ is replaced with Leu or Ser, Ser₉₈ is replaced with Asp,Ser₂₅₅ is replaced with Ala and Leu₁₉₈ is replaced with Lys, whichmutant EPSPS protein has increased resistance or tolerance to aherbicide, which herbicide is a member of the phosphonomethylglycinefamily.